Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The leadership of the four major socio-cultural youth associations in Ogun State has formed a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that political actors seeking the support of young people must present concrete policies that address youth development and inclusion. Operating under the banner of the RIYE G4 Youth Leadership of Ogun State, the leaders said they had resolved to speak with one voice on issues affecting the state’s future and would no longer allow politicians to exploit regional divisions for electoral gains. The resolution was reached during a closed-door meeting held in Abeokuta, where the presidents…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria possesses enormous natural and economic resources and should not be grappling with widespread poverty, urging greater investment in agriculture and the marine economy to unlock the country’s wealth. Shettima made the assertion on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the Agric, Development and Investment Summit in Abuja. The Vice President said Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential, fertile land and marine resources remain largely untapped, stressing that the country could become one of the world’s wealthiest nations if it fully harnesses its comparative advantages. Drawing a comparison with Indonesia, Shettima noted that the…

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 24 undocumented foreign nationals during a security operation in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. The suspects, comprising 15 men and nine women, were apprehended during a coordinated raid on a secluded compound in Imokun, located along the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of the state. The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday. He said the operation was carried out following credible intelligence indicating the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the division’s area of responsibility. According to Yahaya, troops, working…

The Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Commission lacks the legal authority to operate on state and local government roads, declaring its activities on township roads in Kano unlawful. In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice M. S. Shuaibu held that FRSC officials acted outside their statutory powers when they stopped, questioned and delayed motorists on township roads across Kano metropolis in July 2025. The court ruled that the actions of the commission violated the affected motorists’ constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of…

The Senate has rescinded its earlier passage of the Proceeds of Crime Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, citing significant legal, policy and drafting deficiencies that require further legislative review. The decision, reached during plenary on Thursday, effectively reopens deliberations on the proposed amendment to ensure it aligns with Nigeria’s constitutional framework and international best practices on asset recovery and the management of proceeds of crime. Leading the motion, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said lawmakers identified substantive issues in the bill after its passage, making it necessary to suspend further legislative action pending a comprehensive review. According to him, the identified shortcomings…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reinstated the Independent National Electoral Commission’s guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, overturning an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court that nullified key aspects of the electoral timetable. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the Federal High Court erred in law by invalidating the guidelines, describing the decision as one that occasioned a miscarriage of justice. The lead judgment, prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang, also ruled that the Youth Party lacked the legal…

The Senate on Thursday passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles as part of efforts to strengthen road safety and reduce traffic-related accidents across the country. The bill, which now awaits President Bola Tinubu’s assent, also introduces stiffer penalties for several traffic offences, including drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding and refusal to cooperate with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps during roadside breath tests. Under the proposed legislation, any person found hawking, trading or preaching inside a commercial vehicle will, upon conviction,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned the former Chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, over an alleged N15.6bn fraud. Ayeni was on Thursday re-arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on an amended 18-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of depositors’ funds. The former bank chairman pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Thursday’s proceedings marked the third time Ayeni has taken his plea in the case. He was first arraigned on May 4, 2026, before being re-arraigned on June 22…

Daud Olatunji Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected informant for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, with the suspect allegedly confessing to guiding terrorists during a deadly attack on the community last month. The suspect was apprehended by troops of the 149 Battalion (Motorised), working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), during an intelligence-led operation in Gubio on July 14. According to security sources, the arrest followed actionable intelligence linking the suspect to terrorist activities in the area. During a preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly…

…Seeks Arewa support for APC ahead of 2027 The governorship candidate   of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as YAYI, has said the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu rescued Nigeria from economic collapse and laid the foundation for long-term growth. Adeola made the assertion on Tuesday while addressing leaders and stakeholders of the Arewa Community from the 20 local government areas of Ogun State during a courtesy visit to his constituency office in Ilaro, where the group pledged support for his governorship ambition. According to a statement, the senator commended…